In the play “Farragut North,” directed by Reggie Law and now playing at the Oak Ridge Playhouse, five of the seven actors embody the roles of political animals. That is the good news. That is also the bad news!

by Becky Ball/Special to The Oak Ridger

In the play “Farragut North,” directed by Reggie Law and now playing at the Oak Ridge Playhouse, five of the seven actors embody the roles of political animals. That is the good news. That is also the bad news!

You cannot judge these characters by their sense of decency or their “mature” language. You can judge them only by their power plays and dirty tricks. All of which is to say that Beau Willimon’s classic tale about manipulative politicians is familiar stuff in a contemporary landscape. Willimon’s award-winning play is loosely based on Vermont Gov. Howard Dean’s 2004 Democratic campaign for president. Willimon knows his subject well, having worked on several Democratic campaigns, including those of Chuck Schumer, Hilary Clinton and Bill Bradley. The play received further mileage in the movie “The Ides of March,” starring George Clooney and Ryan Gosling.

Willimon tells us his play is “more about the games people play on the campaign trail than about issues.” The spectators’ treat is to watch the bad choices and moral sacrifices made by hard-driven characters. We are most grateful when their dialogue occasionally detours into interesting philosophical territory. Speaking of dialogue, the four letter words punish the air as surely as the characters punish disloyalty.

Reggie Law’s stage is back-dropped with attractive red, white and blue panels, and since the scenes take place in several locations, the actors and stage props appear on movable platforms. It is a very smooth process — somewhat like a staged chess game. The musical interludes are perfect choices. They actually sounded sassy, provocative and glib, somewhat like the characters themselves. Kendel Overholt (sound), David Zannucci (technical director) and Liana Miracle (stage manager) please take a bow.

Brilliant Stephen is probably the smartest press secretary around despite his young age. When we meet him he is in a bar bragging about how he always stays several steps ahead of the opposition. Embodied superbly by Mark Jennings, Stephen is already plotting a deal with Ida, a VIP reporter for the New York Times. We sense immediately that Ashly Goodwin’s Ida is not going to make any deal that does not benefit her. When she leaves for New York, she leaves behind an air of confidence. We know this smart lady will be back with a plan.

Now we meet Stephen’s boss Paul who is a campaign manager in a troubled presidential race. Tony Cedeno, an always in character actor, pitches Paul’s performance just right — part vulnerable and part cocky. Cedeno knows how to savor a good acting moment. Drew Barksdale is wonderful as the eager and fast-learning young upstart Ben. Make room for the attractive intern Molly, played winsomely by attractive Jackie Kallister. Virginia Baldwin outfits Kallister in casual chic. Neat!

Joseph Jaynes is marvelous as the competition’s savvy campaign manager. He has some soul sucking lines that will jolt you awake. There are two more characters who appear to be normal. Gene Spejewski is one of them, and as always does a great job in his cameo role of Frank. And guess who actually touches on some issues? No, it is not Joe the plumber, but David the waiter, well done by David Zannucci.

The play benefits from Law’s good direction and some interesting pithy talk, shocking revelations, and plot turns. But its main purpose seems to be to show a fusion of political stereotypes we might meet on any campaign trail. If you are suffering from election withdrawal, “Farragut North” should get you all fired up and ready to go again.